General Query

Trekking is a journey taken by foot over long trails into the wilderness or even over well-marked routes. Usually trekking is over terrain where vehicular transport is not available. Trekking is a popular tourist activity in India, Nepal, South America and North America.

Hiking is cross-country walking usually longer than simple walks in the wilderness. Hiking involves use of specialised gear and may be for a day or longer.

Trekking in the Sahyadris begins in the monsoons since a lot of people enjoy the greens and waterfalls. If one does not wish to take the wilderness in the monsoons, winter is the best time. Water is available aplenty until the end of winters, at most of the destinations.
The best time for trekking in the Himalayas varies depending upon the region one wishes to trek:

Ladakh

End-May to End September

Himachal Pradesh

Spiti Valley

End-June to End-September from Manali
Mid-April to Mid-November from Shimla

Be slow and deliberate. Check for loose rock on the route. Always put your foot forward only when you are sure that you have secured the other foot on the ground and will not trip or loose balance.
If walking on rocky terrain try walking on large and firm boulders. Use the front of your foot to ensure that you are sure-footed.
If walking in scree, never leave your foot off the ground if you are not sure where to step next.
On rock patches (or steep precipices), make sure of your approach and firm grips. If possible, follow on the steps of the person ahead of you. Ideally, he/she must be experienced on such terrain.
If you are walking on steep ground, place one foot and then, after ensuring the firmness, place your other foot at the same level. This will make your climb easier and less exhausting.

People in Ghats mainly grow paddy during the monsoon months. Many of the locals herd cattle. Other produce is fruits and vegetable in the northern plateau and some cash crops like sugarcane in the southern half.

Monsoon is one season when the weather in the Ghats may change abruptly. Look for thick dark clouds and heavy winds. A change in the direction of the winds is a good sign of changing weather. In case of overcast skies look for cover and descend to the plains immediately. Seek local advise in case of doubts.

Due to the heavy seasonal rains the Western Ghats are essentially tropical forests. The rain bearing clouds from Southern side hit the Western Ghats and empty their waters into adjoining plains. Winters last from late October to early March and are chilly. Thick fog is a common feature in the months post monsoons and mist is common in the winter months. Summers are dry and hot, lasting from March until the rains begin to pour in end-June.

The Sahyadris, also known as the Western Ghats, stretch from Northern Maharashtra up to the Southernmost tip of India. However in general parlance it includes only that part of the hills that essentially lie in the state of Maharashtra. These are about 950Kms in length. The average elevation of the Ghats is 600Mtrs, the highest point being Kalsubai (1654Mtrs/5400Ft) above mean sea level. The Ghats begin to rise from the plains very close to the coast, the smallest distance between coast to crest being 35Kms and the longest being 100Kms. There are only three peaks above 5000Ft and many between 4000-5000Ft. The Ghats divide the state into coastal plains, hills and the upper plateau, which stretches interiors.

Almost the whole rock of the Sahyadris is a stratified trap of varied thickness. This trap consists of beds of basalt of various densities. The rocks are volcanic and hence igneous. The age of this range is said to be about about 180 Million years though the lava flows are known to be about 65 Million years old. Hence they are much older than the Himalayas and are stable and mature. Throughout the ranges you get to see variations in the formation of the Ghats. The steep slopes and the terraces are a result of continuous weathering and conditioning of the Ghats.

The Ghats form a natural dividing line between the upper plains and the low-lying coast. There are enough vantages from where the plains are clearly visible making it possible to track movements of people down below. The forest cover, both on the plains and foothills proved ideal for guerrilla warfare.
In the ancient times there were few passes which were used as trade routes between the upper plateau and the plains below. Because of the nature of the terrain, these passes were easy to guard and control the migration / transport of men and material. Due to the geographical constitution and stability of the western range of the hills it was possible to built safe and invulnerable capitals to rule over the neighbouring regions and around major routes. The forts were built as self-sufficient colonies to support armies and people.

The coastal and the hill regions adjoining of the state have been ruled over by many dynasties over the medieval era. The history of the region could stretch back from about 700BC when the Aryans started settling in this region. Over a period the region was divided and subdivided and consolidated again on the threat of Mughal invasion. Many of the forts were built by various dynasties of the early centuries (800AD-1600 AD). But the most important contributor has been Raja Shivaji who either reinforced these forts or built new, to keep the Mughals away. After Shivaji's reign the region passed on to the Mughals, Peshwas and then to the British. The British could not penetrate this region well and hence acquired the forts by way of treaties and negotiations and unfair tactics. During this period they did enough damage to the forts to ward off any further threat of Guerrilla warfare.

The Sahyadris are covered with a vast spread of flora specific to various regions. The floral wealth is largely dependent on the rainfall and the soil structure. Jackfruit, Mango, Shisav, Sag, Moh, Bibla are some of the floral wealth along with the undergrowth of Karvi which dominates a large part of the slopes.
Animals like Civet cat, Otter, Porcupine, Leopard cat, Jungle cat, etc are present in this jungle. The more common animals are Leopards, Mongooses, Monkeys (rhesus and bonnet macaques), Langurs, Giant Indian Squirrel, Wild Boars, Barking deer and other varities of deer. Snakes of all varieties are found here. Cobras, Vipers, Kraits and Pythons are not uncommon. Scorpions (both brown and black variety) are found in abundance in the rock cracks and thick undergrowths.
Bird life constitutes of common birds like Mynas, Kingfishers, Peacocks, Orioles, Drongos, Magpies, Rock thrushes, Hariyals etc. Some of the migratory birds like Flamingos are also to be seen in season.

After locating your position on a map, align the map according to the N-S direction using the compass. Once you have set the map correctly, determine your destination and turn in that direction. Look for a solid landmark in the direction of the destination. Start walking towards this landmark until you reach it. Keep checking your direction and refer to your map often. In case of an obstacle get around the obstacle and redirect yourself toward the landmark.

A vantage will always be helpful in identifying some landmarks and trail features. While on your way, remember some landmarks like streams (beds), big boulders, cliff edges, huge trees, specific formations in the ground/rock/trees/ undergrowth. From a high you will be able to notice villages, people and activity around you. Once you have made sure that a particular path will reach to some help, follow the same. Almost the whole of Sahyadris is criss-crossed by locals regularly forming faint trails. It will be easy to follows these trails to lead to the nearest help.

Seldom does any one lose his/her way on the trails in the Sahyadris. Many of the routes have been marked with painted arrows. Villagers are the best guides and spread themselves thin in the jungles. One is sure to come across a villager in any kind of a thicket. However if lost, leave your clothes and belonging as markers so that people and other members know that you are close. Before beginning a trail remember various landmarks like thick trees, big boulders or any geographic details. Often from a vantage point one will see a village or activity in sight. Crying for help may gather attention too.

There are enough water tanks, cisterns, waterfalls, lakes and criss-crossing rivers in the Ghats. These are the main source of water for most part of the year except in summers when these run dry and one mainly has to depend on supply water to big towns or small drying pools. On some trails much used by locals, there are tanks cut out in rocks that sustain water even up to the end of summer months.
Though helpful in period of abundance, villagers are usually not very happy to part with precious water in the summer months as they fetch it from far away bore-wells or water sources and may be a strain on their everyday living.

Medical Consideration

Almost anyone can undertake a trek in the Ghats. One needs to be active in their everyday routine. However some exercise like walking or even jogging may go a long way. Elders with respiratory and cardiac ailments must avoid heavy and hectic trails.

One must carry sufficient water while on trail, unless he/she is sure that there is water available on the trail. Take enough breaks and consume small quantities of water at each break. If the heat is unbearable take refuge under shade and try to keep cool. Wear clothes that will absorb sweat and let it evaporate easily. Replenish your liquid intake often. You may add some salts to the water to replace the ones lost by sweating.
Avoid walking in mid-afternoon especially in the hot months of October and March. If conditions worsen, rest under cover and seek help from locals.

Always be cautious while walking in the wilderness. Do not walk on loose boulders / scree. Do not disturb any loose rock as this may fall on the subsequent members of the group. Do not disturb wild life / insects as they may turn dangerous and cause serious harm.

While in the wilderness, always keep to the main trail. This way you will have an easy retrace to your path in case of emergency.
Do not confront any wild animal if it crosses your way. Normally, wild animals are shy and will leave immediately. However, wild animal with little ones may turn dangerous. Do not follow them if they turn away from you. For your safety, walk in groups, so animals will get intimidated. A loud noise may discourage them from approaching you. Do not make sudden movements in case they have not noticed you. Never venture in the wilderness alone. Avoid non-vegetarian food as the scent may attract wild animals.

In case of an animal attack, move the victim to the nearest village. You may look for local treatment administered by the villagers. If there is a Primary Health Care centre, seek for medical attention immediately. Do not move the patient if he is too critical and any movement will lead to complications. Look for local help in moving patient.

Food poisoning, motion sickness, sunstroke, heat stroke, dehydration and blisters are the common emergencies. Minor falls are also common. There may be major falls due to human error or false judgement. Insect bites are also common. All symptoms for the above should be attended to immediately before any spread of the ailment.

A. Running water is normally fresh and clean. Use filter and water disinfectants like chlorine drops or tablets. If possible, boil water before consumption. Potassium Permanganate and alum can also be use to kill germs and settle sediments respectively. There are also some water purifying tablets available that remove certain specific pathogens that cause serious diseases.

A. Check for older people with heart/respiratory ailments. If they are physically unfit, they will have to be left at home or at the base.

B. Elders undergoing other non-critical medical treatment must carry all their medications.

C. Children with fear of heights must be kept away from high passes and cliffs. Carry all necessary medicines for common ailment for children like cough, cold and fever. Comfort children before beginning of any trail.

D. Women with periods must avoid trekking in the wilderness to avoid being attacked by wild animals. Besides they must take necessary precaution against any gynaecological problems before embarking on an outdoor adventure. Some women plan their trips much in advance and may take postponement prescriptions to avoid periods during the critical days of walking.

Consult your physician before undertaking any adventure activity.

Prevention: The best way of preventing altitude illness is by allowing the body adequate time to acclimatize.

A short to moderate acclimatization walk before a really demanding trail will be mandatory for preparing well for the trek. Once acclimatized at moderate altitude, one should foresee few problems on the trail provided you are going to gain not more than 700Mtrs of sleeping altitude (for moderate altitude treks), though you may go higher and descend back to lower altitudes.
Everyone’s physiology is different and there is nothing to be ashamed of if you acclimatize more slowly than others. Altitude is the great equalizer. Persons who are out of shape and not very athletic at sea level “may” acclimatize well and surpass marathon runners who are too incapacitated to move on the trail.
When rapid ascents cannot be avoided, medications are available to help acclimatize fast. Diamox, a sulpha drug causes the blood to be slightly acidic, which stimulates breathing. It is also a mild diuretic. It hastens the natural process of acclimatization.
Adequate hydration is also helpful in preventing altitude sickness. The body loses tremendous amounts of fluid from the lungs and the skin in the high and dry environment. You must drink enough to maintain a clear and sufficient quantity of urine output. Your diet must constitute >70% carbohydrates at high altitudes.
Its also best to engage in some moderate activity during acclimatization rather than just lie around. Exercise stimulates circulation and respiration and help the body adapt.

Avoid alcohol and sedatives: The typical symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness are exactly similar to alcohol hangover. One reason alcohol should be avoided at high altitudes is that it can blur the distinction between AMS and a hangover. Alcohol also aggravates the effects of altitude and can actually impair acclimatization and make people more ill.

Always REPORT ANY SYMPTOMS OR SIGNS OF ALTITUDE SICKNESS SO THAT THINGS DO NOT GET OUT OF HAND!!!

OTHER ALTITUDE RELATED AILMENTS

Common cold: Take every care that you do not get common cold before you hit the trail. You will need all your lung capacity to breath in maximum amount of air and any blockage could be an irritant.

Hypothermia: Sudden change in temperature and exposure to severe cold, especially while crossing a high, cold windy pass may cause hypothermia. It occurs when the body is unable to contain body heat and one feels extremely exhausted, cold, confused and unable to co-ordinate limbs.
Immediate treatment is to be undertaken to avoid further deterioration in the condition. Remove the patient to a shelter, remove wet clothes and get the patient into a sleeping bag. Hot liquids, like coffee, should be given to drink. Alcohol should be avoided in case the patient feels cold.
Heat Exhaustion: Prolonged exertion on a hot day can cause heat exhaustion. It happens due to reduction in water and salt in the body rather than increased body temperature. Lots of water is lost due to excessive sweating. The symptoms are dizziness, headache, vomiting and loss of appetite. Transfer the patient to cool environment and increase intake of salt and fluids.
Heat Stroke: This is caused from exposure to high temperature over a considerable period. Heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke. Usually it sets in suddenly without warnings except reduction in sweating. The body temperature rises over 41 degrees C. The body must be cooled as rapidly as possible. Total immersion in cold water may be undertaken or the victim can be covered with cold towels. S cooling when the temperature comes down to about 39 degrees C.
Chill Blains: These are painful swellings of the hand, feet or ear by excessive exposure to cold and by poor circulation. These can result from intermittent exposure to high humidity and low temperature without causing the tissue to freeze. Keep the affected limb wrapped in warm clothing or in a sleeping bag.

Snow Blindness:
Snow blindness is a burn of the cornea caused by excessive exposure to UV light. It is entirely preventable by wearing adequate glasses or goggles that filter 90% of UV-B radiation and reduce exposure from sides too.
UV light penetration increases by 5% for every 1000 Feet gain in altitude, hence there is 75% more UV penetration at 15000 feet than there is at sea level. Even on cloudy days the exposure is enough to cause damage.
Snow blindness is extremely painful and can last for 48 hours or more. If snow blindness occurs, patch the eyes to prevent extreme irritation caused by the eyelids moving across the injured cornea. Cold compression should be applied and pain pills administered.

A. On long treks - especially the ones beyond 2 days if walking you may need to carry a large enough back pack (Usually 50Ltrs+), water container like a hydration pouch or a large volume bottle (at least 2-3Ltrs/head), cooking equipment, tents (2-3 man tent, 3/4 season depending upon the region and weather), sleeping bags, emergency equipment like torches, binoculars, first aid kit, Mobile or a hand phone, etc. A set of ropes or thick chord of at least 10mtrs (30 feet) along with a few carabiners will come handy for any emergency.

If you are expected to encounter or climb difficult terrain then all the technical devices will be extremely helpful.

A. To aid walking in the wild, a light backpack/rucksack is always preferable. The bottom of your rucksack will consist of the bulky, light but least often required equipment like the Sleeping Bag. Above that are the items like uncooked meals, stove, clothes etc. On the half of your sack, will be the essential and most often required items like medical kit, chappals, towel, snacks etc. Water bottle should be handy and occupies one of the external pockets. Other items like the rain jacket also are to be stowed in the external pouches along with essentials like penknife, torches, cells etc.

While packing bags, remember to keep the heavy items on of the lighter items. This will shift your centre of gravity higher, offering the forward push and not drag you behind. The load however, should be evenly distributed across layers. Take care that anything with sharp edges is not packed close to your body as this may damage your sack and may make your walk uncomfortable.

Before packing bags ensure that the straps and the material of the bag will take the requisite load. Cover sharp edges so that they do not tear the sack and hurt anyone. Items like fuel should be packed separately and be away from foodstuff. Waterproof your bag with a lining of plastic to prevent your clothes and sleeping bag from getting wet in case it rains or you are expected to cross rivers/big streams. Tie all loose end as these might get entangled in thorny shrubs and may throw you out of balance. All fluids must be checked for leakage as these may spoil your bag and other items.

If you are a regular outdoors person then all the equipment can be bought over a period of time. One-off items can be either borrowed or hired from various clubs or organisations like the YHAI or Himalayan Club. In Himalayan towns like Leh, Darjeeling, Dehradun, Manali, Kathmandu etc, local agencies hire out any kind of equipment at reasonable rates.

One must wear shoes with thick soles and enough grip to tackle the cross-country. The best pair is one that has been broken-in much before one embarks on a trail. Avoid wearing new shoes that may turn your pleasure trip into agony. Sneakers should do fine unless they are ill fitting. Hunter shoes with canvas s are also a good bet for any season. For monsoon, avoid wearing shoes that have no or little grip.
Some brands of good trekking shoes available in India are Woodlands, Salomon (Premium, available in select Adidas outlets), Weinbrenner from Bata, Adidas (Moderate to premium), Nike etc.
Some known International brands are North face, Salomon, Merrel, Hi-Tec, Teva, Scarpa, Raichel etc.

It is preferable to pitch camp in the path where the wind is obstructed by features such as trees, shrubs, boulders etc. A water source like a lake, pond or a stream should be nearby. The tents should be pitched aligned to the direction of the wind so that there is minimum resistance to wind and air should always recycle within the tents. The site must be recognizable in dark and easy to approach. Campsites must be on an open and firm ground. It must be on a feeble slope so that water does not accumulate.

The tent is essentially made up of three elements; the inner tent, the frame and the outer fly sheet. The inner tent can be completely enclosed so as to prevent insects, crawlers and small animals to creep in. It is erect by the frame and the pegs that are nailed to the ground. The flysheet forms the outer covering which help keep away moisture and rain at the same time insulating the inner tent from cold. The air trapped in between the inner tent and the outer flysheet is what helps to keep the tent keep warm from the inside.

Before pitching tent, check the firmness of the ground. Then lay the inner tent and peg it down to the ground with the pegs. The inner tent must be stretched from end to end so that the complete structure is stable. Assemble the frame and insert the frame in the eyelets of the inner tents. Pull the side cords of the frame and peg them down so that the tent now stands erect. Pull the outer flysheet over the inner tent. Use the pegs to cover the tent completely. Never forget to check for the insulation in between the two layers.

Pull the pegs of the outer flysheet. Remove the outer flysheet and fold to make compact. Then pull the pegs of the frame and the cord to dismantle the structure. "Break" the frame and stow away. Then remove pegs of the inner tent and fold the tent. After counting the pegs pack all the elements in the tent case. Ensure that you level the ground where the pegs had been inserted. Leave the campsite as it was before you pitched.

Never pull out grass underneath the ground. If the undergrowth is dense, move to another site. Potable water must be collected upstream and washing must be done downstream. Avoid using trees and branches as supports. Collect all garbage and pack it out. Preferably dig a pit for toilet facility. Use toilet at least a hundred feet away from the nearest water source. Solid waste must be carried back. Liquid waste can be disposed off in a pit that is covered completely with sand before leaving the campsite.

Before building campfire, identify if it is completely essential to have one. If yes, then check for firewood. Pick up firewood that has been naturally shed. Avoid chopping fresh wood from standing trees. Build a fire in the small pit or cover the firewood from all side with stones. This will prevent the fire flakes from flying and causing any kind of hazard to the environment. After the fire is put out, cover with sand to leave no trace of the fire.

Environment

• Protect the natural environment.
• Limit deforestation. Make no open fires. Where water is heated by scarce firewood, use as little as possible. When possible, choose accommodation that uses kerosene or fuel-efficient wood stoves.
• Remove litter. Burn or bury paper and carry out all non-degradable litter.
• Graffiti is a permanent form of environmental pollution.
• Keep local water clean. Avoid using pollutants such as detergents in streams or springs.
• If no toilet facilities are available, make sure you are at least 30 meters away from water sources, and bury or cover wastes.
• Plants should be left to flourish in their natural environment. Taking cuttings, seeds and roots is illegal.
• Help your guides and porters to follow conservation measures.
• Tourism code reflects the fact that our focus is more on the human issues of tourism rather than on ecological/conservation issues.
• Save precious natural resources. Try not to waste water and switch off lights and air-conditioning if you go out.

• Plants should be left to flourish in their natural environment.
• Remove litter. Burn or bury paper and carry out all non-degradable litter.
• If no toilet facilities are available, make sure you are at least 30 meters away from water sources, and bury or cover wastes.
• Graffiti is a permanent form of environmental pollution.
• If a trail is already existent then do not walk on any other ground. Follow predetermined path and trail.
• Do not trample on fresh grass / growth.
• Do not disturb wild animals. If any natural resources are used then if possible replace them back to their original position.

Before building campfire, identify if it is completely essential to have one. If yes then check for the firewood. Pick up firewood that has been naturally decaying or shed. Avoid chopping fresh wood from standing trees. Build a fire in the small pit or cover the firewood from all side with stones. This will prevent the fire flakes from flying and causing any kind of hazard to the environment. After the fire is put off, cover with sand to leave no trace of the fire.

Limit deforestation. Make no open fires. Where water is heated by scarce firewood, use as little as possible. When possible, choose accommodation that uses kerosene or fuel-efficient wood stoves.
Keep local water clean. Avoid using pollutants such as detergents in streams or springs.
Plants should be left to flourish in their natural environment.

While on trail, acknowledge the locals and their right of way. Wishing them and complimenting them goes a long way in building a good relation. A small chat with them may open the doors to a different world. Ask for directions if lost. Villagers are normally very hospitable. Offer to visit their home if they insist. Do not offer them any intoxicants.

Before you begin your long walk you may need guidance especially if you are a new comer. Ask for the directions of the trail. If you are not sure of the directions, inquire any villager if they are ready to show the way. Many will lead you to the trailhead. Often you may need them to lead the trail till the end. Many villagers may offer to do the same for a small fee.

Most of the villagers in the Ghats and Himalayas will understand Hindi. If however they or you do not speak Hindi, use as much body language and symbols. These may help. Smile and they will be willing to co-operate.
Respect local traditions and cultures, and maintain local pride. When taking photographs, respect privacy.
Respect holy places. Preserve what you have come to see. Never touch or remove religious objects.
Shoes should be removed when visiting temples.
Respect local etiquette. Loose, lightweight clothes are preferable to revealing shorts, skimpy s and tight fitting "action-wear".
Observe standard food and bed charges but do not condone overcharging. Remember, when you're shopping, that the bargains you buy may only be possible because of low income to others.
Visitors who value local traditions encourage local pride and maintain local cultures.
Support the local trades and crafts-people. Buy only locally made souvenirs where possible.
Recognize land rights. When in tribal lands, tourists should behave as they would on private property.
Learning something about the history and current affairs of a country helps you understand the attitudes and idiosyncrasies of its people and help prevent misunderstandings and frustrations.
BE PATIENT, FRIENDLY AND SENSITIVE. REMEMBER - YOU ARE A GUEST.

Beginner's Query

A trek is a leisure activity to spend quality time with nature and self. Thus, everyone is eligible for trekking. However, when one is intends to trek in high altitudes and challenging terrain, one must be reasonably fit. A person who can walk long distance, is patient, diligent and can be rhythmic while walking in different terrains will enjoy trekking the most.

For beginners, the essential quality required is ability to walk long distance. All other traits get developed with continued visits or treks.

A trek can involve between 3 to 7 hours of walking in a day. A walk in the outdoors can be either ascent or descent or even flat ground, over different terrains. Each terrain has its own challenge and will require different walking methods for adapting.

Examples include:- a well defined gradual route or along a steep route or a route full of boulders, a route open to harsh fury of weather or a route nicely and completely canopied by trees all around.

Some treks can be technical requiring additional gear like ropes, harnesses and carabiners and may involve short rock climbing. On treks most often gear is used for better safety, but may add to the overall experince. Unless one is well trained, such activity must be carried out under the supervision of experts.

PLEASE DO NOT GET CONFUSED BETWEEN CLIMBING AND TREKKING/HIKING. Most treks do not require you to use hands and gear to climb any mountain! Its a mere and sometimes enduring walk up the slopes. Most Technical treks are well marked in their grades.

The forts and villages of Western Ghats in Maharashtra offer enough destinations with rustic but considerably clean shelters. These include caves, temples, village schools, forts etc. Many villagers accommodate small groups and may help with meals. Such unconventional accommodations are an experience to cherish for a long time.

It may not be easy to find shelter in southern parts of Sahyadris due to remoteness of the treks, unfamiliarity of locals with trekkers, language barriers, lack of forts/open forests and accessible public places.

In such cases, the availability of tents multiplies your options of destinations.

Rest place during Country Cycle Tour

During overnight & extended cycling trips, you travel through countryside, wadis & hamlets. On such occassion, stay could be in either village schools, temples, tents, home-stay or guest houses.

Stay while on treks or adventure activity around Himalayas:-

The various types of accommodations available in the Himalayas are as follows

It is also important to make a conservative estimate of time you may need to reach the destination for the day. Take as many breaks as needed. Take time off to observe and enjoy every bit of the trail. Begin early in the day for a day trek and walk at a comfortable pace. The objective is to enjoy the walk and not to race to the destination. Do not take unnecessary risks like setting new trails or walking too close to cliffs etc. Look out for falling rocks and scree let-off by the trekkers walking ahead. Rocks, roots and uneven ground on the trail may trip you. A little alertness will keep you away from medical emergencies.

To enjoy the outdoors there are no fixed rules for taking breaks. Begin early and intersperse your walk with sufficient breaks. Break often for shorter duration rather than a few for longer durations. Do not forget that breaks give you the opportunities to enjoy the trail the most and appreciate nature.

Return timing is sometimes subject to several consideration like transport, weather and emergencies.

It is important to check with organizing group about the planned return time. Normally experienced leaders consider all the pros and cons correctly to estimate the time of return.

In Sahyadris, the group having their own transport will normally return home in good time. For trekkers depending on public modes of transport, return time is a variable, sometimes stretching beyond the expected time by a large duration.

In Himalayan ranges primary cause of undue delays are weather conditions, public protests, political events, strikes and processions. Ensure that you have enough reserve days to counter such an uncertainty.

It is imperative that you do not take up any important engagement on day of return since this can make you impatient and can adversely affect all your subsequent actions on return day and can spoil the trip for yourself and fellow trekkers.

Proper urban toilets or loo facility while on a trek are considered a luxury when one is in the wilderness. Trekking trails in India unlike the American or European campsites do not offer camping toilets also near campsite. However most villages in Maharashtra are embarking on a clean village and have built closed toilets. This is great news for us trekkers.

In wilderness however, there may not be such a facility unless you are close to a village. Using the wilderness to hide & complete the act is mostly the norm. It is always advisable to keep a roll of toilet paper handy with you for such eventualities. You either go behind bushes or behind rocks. You will find it interesting to know that few trekking locations in Sahyadris have earmarked seperate expanse as toilet for ladies & gents.

Do take a same sex companion to stand guard for your morning ablutions. Ensure that you keep the trail clean by covering up your doing with soil or foilage.

You either embark on an trekking tour by yourself and a group of friends or with a formal professional adventure tour operator.

If one is trekking or is on an adventure holiday with an professional organization, it is useful to know what will be made available by the organisers for you. Typically, limited things are expected to be carried by the paying individual clients. An exhaustive list of what to carry & what not to carry is available on our FAQ section on gear. If you are trekking in Sahyadris, your preparation is only to possess the basic level of fitness.

However for treks to Himalayas, it is advisable that you take daily walks & stretch all your muscles on a daily basis. A weekend preperatory trek to nearby challenging hills(small or big) can help.

The other preperation is with respect to the gear. Please refer our FAQ section on Gear or gear advise for more details.

Trekking in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra is popular due to various reasons and food is amongst top reasons adding to the overall experience. While organising fresh meals can be a complex affair for most trekking, this is not necessarily so for this region.

Meals can be cooked over open fires, kerosene stoves, multi-fuel stoves, small LPG cylinders, butane cartridges with burners, firewood, etc. There is a unique satisfaction and feeling of achievement to cook fresh meals while on treks.

It is "safe" to trek when one is on a trek in the company of professionals like "Odati Adventures"

Trekking trails represent danger only when one attempts them with little or no prior study or experience of the place. A good research ensures that the trail is understood for its peculiarities in terms of terrain and forces of natural elements in different seasons. An even more thorough research looks into peculiarities of elements other than natural forces (eg anti-social elements, wildlife etc).

There is an element of uncertainty when one treks in the mountain ranges. This uncertainty stems from the unpredictability of the natural elements. Added to this is the acute enhancement of all the human senses (especially during nights) when one comes into wilderness. This combination makes one feel uncomfortable. For a first timer, this unknown element represents danger & fear is mostly perceived.

When one learns to adapt to the above feeling with understanding, sense of fear is reduced drastically. A trek without any fear (percievde or real) is now dangerous only when one acts reckless or acts with a lack of common sense.

Kindly ensure with your operator of two things:

Is the trek matched to your capabilities and joy?

Has the operator answered all your safety related quries satisfactorily?

Is the operator confident of taking you there safely and bring you back without extreme efforts.?

We at Odati Adventures believe that you are with us for a few days and we would not like to get into trouble, unless unforeseen and we endeavour to make your experience (and ours) memorable. Hence your preparedness and addressal of worries is of prime importance to us.

Commonly found insects in the Indian subcontinent especially Sahyadris, are the harmless variety. In trails where such poisonous insects are found, it is prior research of trail and walking with immense respect for nature and its creatures goes a long way in rendering your trek safe. It is respectful to avoid acts like chasing after insects for photographs & heed the trail guide or leader's advice. While keenly seeking out a good photograph or wishing for a closer look at nature's shy creatures, be aware that such acts can render your position unsafe sometimes. You must proceed further with prudence.

Snakes especially, (even the most poisonous ones!) are one of the most shy creatures that strongly seek to avoid human contact. Vibrations of trampling feet is enough to send it scurrying into its retreats away from human sight.

Scorpions like to hide under stone cracks and hence you must be careful when you pry them out.

Play safe. Avoid wandering off-trail when worried strongly of such incident.

Use of gear like long trousers, shoes, socks, full sleeve Tees, go a long way to insure against unexpected.

Treks that are conducted by professional outfits with good fundamentals ensure that the chances for mishap is nil or minimal.

When a group ventures for trek with improper gear or fundamentals and a lack of site information, the probability of injury increases. Again, impulsive actions done in a panic state also result in injuries sometimes.

Despite all the best efforts, if one still gets hurt due to unforseen events, refer our FAQ's "Medical Section" for further details for minimizing the impact of injury.

One of the best mantras of good trekking is to 'keep calm'. While everyone has a similar fear, keeping calm helps in organsiing thoughts and getting rescue quickly. Good organisations will evaluate all the possibilities and seek a solution that is good for you and the group. Hence your co-operation will ameliorate your worries.

Odati Adventures carries a complete medical kit and you must usher the use of this as and when required. Insist on your treatment as asap. Most if our staff is also Qualifed at their First Aid course and loads of practical experience in the outdoors. They will attend to you in case required.

A good leader and a "Small Group" adventure (that Odati Adventures offers) ensures that the entire group is bound together. An experienced leader will ensure that you reach the chosen destination in good time. Rarely, it is possible that you may lose your way and wander. A great leader will make even such a mishap into an experience worth remembering while keeping the safety, time constraint in mind.

On a trek it is possible to lose sight of the original trail for a short while due to changes in the landscapes with season. Only an alert and careful leader (or sometimes even participant) can put you back on the right track. This detour falls in the spirit of adventure. For the untrained eye nothing is amiss as one reaches the target destination with a little delay.

If however one still gets seperated from group or is lost, it is important to remain calm and relax.

Ocassionally let go of a vocal signal either preferably with a whistle so that others can locate you.

Do not misuse this as sometimes this may turn out like the 'crying wolf' story.

Try to trace back the reverse path to re-join at the place where you may have diverged from original trail. While doing this, remember the trail back so that if you do not find the way, you may come back to the place where you realised you were lost and wait there for others to find you.

If after several attempts you are not able to trace the path, look out for place to take shelter and relax.

Take count of available resource and use them judiciously while waiting patiently for others to rescue you.

Try & enjoy the beauty of surrounding. Some act of enterprise by trying to make yourself home at that place, (by gathering things from around that you may need for security) can keep you occupied and make you more relaxed during the waiting period.